"It offers real potential to draw new visitors here as well as offering current visitors new entertainment when they're visiting Erie," Oliver said. "We're looking at marketing a beer trail similar to our wine trail. If we package the trail and include overnight accommodations, people could stay in Erie but also be visiting breweries outside of Erie."

"People come here, then pair us up with other breweries in town," said Becky Niemeyer, sales manager for Erie Brewing, 1213 Veshecco Drive. "Even though there's not as many breweries as wineries, it's still a big draw. You could even combine the two. Do a couple of days at local breweries, then a couple at local wineries."

Jason Lavery began home brewing in 2004, then opened Lavery Brewing Co., 128 W. 12th St., in 2010. He teaches home brewing classes, produces 10 beers commercially, and has released 20 others in small batches during "growler hours" that his brewery hosts on Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m.

Lavery, 31, said his business has seen visitors from Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Buffalo, Rochester, N.Y., and State College, as well as parts of Michigan, Wisconsin and West Virginia.

"The time is now for breweries to market a beer trail here since we're all so close together," Lavery added.

The beer industry overall is rebounding after four years of declining sales that were largely attributed to the nation's recession.

A midyear report published by the Brewer's Association in fall cited a 14 percent growth in beer sales. The association represents more than 1,400 U.S. breweries, roughly 70 percent of the industry.

Craft beer sales of $12 billion in 2012 were a fraction of the overall $96 billion beer market. Anheuser-Busch and MillerCoors control more than 80 percent of business.

"But it's a lucrative market," said Chris Sirianni, owner of Brewerie at Union Station, 124 W. 14th St. "We don't need a big piece. We like the crumbs, for now."

The origins of commercially produced craft beer can be traced to the early 1980s with Sam Adams Boston Lager and other products made by the Boston Beer Co. and Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in California.

The tastes and varieties gave birth to home brewers nationwide. What began as a fascination and hobby turned into a rising business trend and the craft beer boom.

"People appreciate products made locally and with creativity instead of mass-produced Walmart-ized stuff you can buy anywhere," said Lavery, citing his popular fall beer Stingy Jack's Pumpkin Ale.

"The craft beer craze is not as much the beer as it is the people," he added. "The brewers, the craft beer fans, the craft beer geeks who come to tastings and chat. The passion of craft brewing is very contagious."

Curt Rachocki, head brewer at Voodoo Brewing Co., 215 Arch St., Meadville, said people are "moving away from a shot and a beer, especially the younger generation."

Voodoo, which started in 2007, currently produces six beers, including its popular Big Black Voodoo Daddy, and other seasonal varieties that are rotated through the taps in the brewery's pub.

"There's more beyond Miller, Bud and Coors," Rachocki, 26, said. "Once that door is opened, and you find something not a part of Big Beer, you never go back."

Timber Creek Tap & Table, 11191 Highline Drive, Meadville, opened in May, making it the newest craft brewery in the Erie region.

Brew master Jake Vorisek said business has been very good.

"People are realizing there's a lot more to craft beers than your standard beer," he said. Vorisek, 29, began home brewing when he was 22. "So much more flavor. If you are open-minded, you've got to try it."

GERRY WEISS can be reached at 870-1884 or by e-mail. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ETNweiss.